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Advanced Polymeric Materials for Pharmaceutical Applications
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Advanced Polymeric Materials for Pharmaceutical Applications

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 March 2021) | Viewed by 30184

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Panagiotis Barmpalexis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: drug delivery systems; polyesters; controlled drug release; polymeric solid dispersions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Konstantinos N. Kontogiannopoulos

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: nanotechnology; natural products; drug delivery systems; pharmaceutical technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymers, whether synthetic or of natural origin, have played an important role in the development and advancement of pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. In this context, efforts are constantly being made to develop new polymeric materials having exceptional properties for use in medical applications (low toxicity, good biocompatibility, etc.). Within this framework, the current Special Issue (SI) aims to explore the various aspects related to the development and pharmaceutical/biomedical applications of modern advanced polymeric materials. The authors will cover all relevant sections including immediate and controlled drug release, implants, patches, medical devices, dental composites, diagnostics, etc. The scope of this SI is to provide an expert panel with a primary emphasis on addressing the needs and interests of both academic and industrial readers.

Prof. Dr. Panagiotis Barmpalexis
Dr. Konstantinos N. Kontogiannopoulos
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • advanced polymeric materials
  • pharmaceutical applications
  • biomedical applications
  • drug delivery systems
  • medical devices
  • polymer theory and modelling

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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24 pages, 5270 KiB  
Article
Leflunomide Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles for the Preparation of Aliphatic Polyester Based Skin Patches
by Stavroula G. Nanaki, Sophia Andrianidou, Panagiotis Barmpalexis, Evi Christodoulou and Dimitrios N. Bikiaris
Polymers 2021, 13(10), 1539; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13101539 - 11 May 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2311
Abstract
In the present study, the preparation of controlled-released leflunomide (LFD)-loaded skin patches was evaluated, utilizing the combination of chitosan (CS) nanoparticles (NPs) incorporated into suitable poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) or poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polyester matrices. Initially, LFD-loaded CS NPs of ~600 nm [...] Read more.
In the present study, the preparation of controlled-released leflunomide (LFD)-loaded skin patches was evaluated, utilizing the combination of chitosan (CS) nanoparticles (NPs) incorporated into suitable poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) or poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polyester matrices. Initially, LFD-loaded CS NPs of ~600 nm and a smooth surface were prepared, while strong inter-molecular interactions between the drug and the CS were unraveled. In the following step, the prepared LFD-loaded CS NPs were incorporated into PLLA or PLGA, and thin-film patches were prepared via spin-coating. Analysis of the prepared films showed that the incorporation of the drug-loaded CS NPs resulted in a significant increase in the drug’s release rate and extent as compared to neat LFD-loaded polyester patches (i.e., prepared without the use of CS NPs). In-depth analysis of the prepared formulations showed that the amorphization of the drug within the matrix and the increased wetting properties of the prepared CS NPs were responsible for the improved thin-film patch characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Materials for Pharmaceutical Applications)
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14 pages, 13696 KiB  
Article
Influence of Elongation of Paclitaxel-Eluting Electrospun-Produced Stent Coating on Paclitaxel Release and Transport through the Arterial Wall after Stenting
by Zhanna K. Nazarkina, Boris P. Chelobanov, Konstantin A. Kuznetsov, Alexey V. Shutov, Irina V. Romanova, Andrey A. Karpenko and Pavel P. Laktionov
Polymers 2021, 13(7), 1165; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13071165 - 5 Apr 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2311
Abstract
It was previously shown that polycaprolactone (PCL)-based electrospun-produced paclitaxel (PTX)-enriched matrices exhibit long-term drug release kinetics and can be used as coatings for drug-eluting stents (DES). The installation of vascular stents involves a twofold increase in stent diameter and, therefore, an elongation of [...] Read more.
It was previously shown that polycaprolactone (PCL)-based electrospun-produced paclitaxel (PTX)-enriched matrices exhibit long-term drug release kinetics and can be used as coatings for drug-eluting stents (DES). The installation of vascular stents involves a twofold increase in stent diameter and, therefore, an elongation of the matrices covering the stents, as well as the arterial wall in a stented area. We studied the influence of matrix elongation on its structure and PTX release using three different electrospun-produced matrices. The data obtained demonstrate that matrix elongation during stent installation does not lead to fiber breaks and does not interfere with the kinetics of PTX release. To study PTX diffusion through the expanded artery wall, stents coated with 5%PCL/10%HSA/3%DMSO/PTX and containing tritium-labeled PTX were installed into the freshly obtained iliac artery of a rabbit. The PTX passing through the artery wall was quantified using a scintillator β-counter. The artery retained the PTX and decreased its release from the coating. The retention of PTX by the arterial wall was more efficient when incubated in blood plasma in comparison with PBS. The retention/accumulation of PTX by the arterial wall provides a prolonged drug release and allows for the reduction in the dose of the drugs in electrospun-produced stent coatings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Materials for Pharmaceutical Applications)
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22 pages, 4357 KiB  
Article
Leflunomide Sustained Skin Delivery Based on Sulfobetaine-Modified Chitosan Nanoparticles Embedded in Biodegradable Polyesters Films
by Stavroula G. Nanaki, Evi Christodoulou, Nikolaos D. Bikiaris, Afroditi Kapourani, Konstantinos N. Kontogiannopoulos, Souzan Vergkizi-Nikolakaki and Panagiotis Barmpalexis
Polymers 2021, 13(6), 960; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13060960 - 21 Mar 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2421
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to prepare a leflunomide (LFD) sustained release transdermal delivery system for the treatment of psoriasis. In this context, LFD-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) based on either neat chitosan (CS) or CS modified with [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide (SDAEM, a sulfobetaine [...] Read more.
The aim of the present study was to prepare a leflunomide (LFD) sustained release transdermal delivery system for the treatment of psoriasis. In this context, LFD-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) based on either neat chitosan (CS) or CS modified with [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide (SDAEM, a sulfobetaine zwitterionic compound) were initially prepared via ionotropic gelation and characterized in terms of in vitro dissolution, physicochemical, and antibacterial properties. Results showed that the use of the SDAEM-modified CS resulted in the formation of LFD-loaded NPs with improved wetting and solubilization properties, better in vitro dissolution profile characteristics (i.e., higher dissolution rate and extent), and improved (enhanced) antibacterial properties. The resultant LFD-loaded NPs were then embedded in suitable thin-film skin patches, prepared via spin-coating, utilizing two different biodegradable polyesters, namely methoxy polyethylene glycol-b-poly(L-lactide) (mPEG-b-PLA, at a ratio of 25/75 mPEG to PLA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA at a ratio of 75/25 DL-lactide/glycolide copolymer). Results showed the formation of polymeric thin-films with no agglomeration (or trapped air) and uniform structure in all cases, while the LFD-loaded NPs were successfully embedded in the polymeric matrix. Analysis of the obtained in vitro dissolution profiles revealed a sustained release profile of the drug for up to approximately twelve days, while between the two proposed systems, the use of CS-SDAEM NPs (independently of the polyester type) was the most promising formulation approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Materials for Pharmaceutical Applications)
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24 pages, 6425 KiB  
Article
Low Molecular Weight Oligomers of Poly(alkylene succinate) Polyesters as Plasticizers in Poly(vinyl alcohol) Based Pharmaceutical Applications
by Artemis Palamidi, Afroditi Kapourani, Evi Christodoulou, Panagiotis A. Klonos, Konstantinos N. Kontogiannopoulos, Apostolos Kyritsis, Dimitrios N. Bikiaris and Panagiotis Barmpalexis
Polymers 2021, 13(1), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13010146 - 1 Jan 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2737
Abstract
The plasticizing effect of three low molecular weight oligomers of aliphatic poly(alkylene succinate) polyesters, namely poly(butylene succinate) (PBSu), poly(ethylene succinate) (PESu), and poly(propylene succinate) (PPSu), on partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) used in melt-based pharmaceutical applications, was evaluated for the first time. Initially, [...] Read more.
The plasticizing effect of three low molecular weight oligomers of aliphatic poly(alkylene succinate) polyesters, namely poly(butylene succinate) (PBSu), poly(ethylene succinate) (PESu), and poly(propylene succinate) (PPSu), on partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) used in melt-based pharmaceutical applications, was evaluated for the first time. Initially, the three aliphatic polyesters were prepared by the melt polycondensation process and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), 1H NMR, intrinsic viscosity, and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Subsequently, their effect on the thermophysical and physicochemical properties of PVA was thoroughly evaluated. According to the obtained results, PVA was completely miscible with all three polyesters, while PESu induced PVA’s thermal degradation, with the phenomenon starting from ~220 °C, in contrast to PBSu and PPSu, where a thermal profile similar to PVA was observed. Furthermore, molecular interactions between PVA and the prepared poly(alkylene succinate) polyesters were revealed by DSC, ATR-FTIR, and molecular dynamics simulations. Finally, melt flow index (MFI) measurements showed that, in contrast to PBSu, the use of PESu or PPSu significantly improved PVA’s melt flow properties. Hence, according to findings of the present work, only the use of low molecular weight PPSu is suitable in order to reduce processing temperature of PVA and improve its melt flow properties (plasticizing ability) without affecting its thermal decomposition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Materials for Pharmaceutical Applications)
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Review

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65 pages, 4189 KiB  
Review
Promising Drug Delivery Approaches to Treat Microbial Infections in the Vagina: A Recent Update
by Manisha Pandey, Hira Choudhury, Azila Abdul-Aziz, Subrat Kumar Bhattamisra, Bapi Gorain, Teng Carine, Tan Wee Toong, Ngiam Jing Yi and Lim Win Yi
Polymers 2021, 13(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13010026 - 23 Dec 2020
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 7323
Abstract
An optimal host–microbiota interaction in the human vagina governs the reproductive health status of a woman. The marked depletion in the beneficial Lactobacillus sp. increases the risk of infection with sexually transmitted pathogens, resulting in gynaecological issues. Vaginal infections that are becoming increasingly [...] Read more.
An optimal host–microbiota interaction in the human vagina governs the reproductive health status of a woman. The marked depletion in the beneficial Lactobacillus sp. increases the risk of infection with sexually transmitted pathogens, resulting in gynaecological issues. Vaginal infections that are becoming increasingly prevalent, especially among women of reproductive age, require an effective concentration of antimicrobial drugs at the infectious sites for complete disease eradication. Thus, topical treatment is recommended as it allows direct therapeutic action, reduced drug doses and side effects, and self-insertion. However, the alterations in the physiological conditions of the vagina affect the effectiveness of vaginal drug delivery considerably. Conventional vaginal dosage forms are often linked to low retention time in the vagina and discomfort which significantly reduces patient compliance. The lack of optimal prevention and treatment approaches have contributed to the unacceptably high rate of recurrence for vaginal diseases. To combat these limitations, several novel approaches including nano-systems, mucoadhesive polymeric systems, and stimuli-responsive systems have been developed in recent years. This review discusses and summarises the recent research progress of these novel approaches for vaginal drug delivery against various vaginal diseases. An overview of the concept and challenges of vaginal infections, anatomy and physiology of the vagina, and barriers to vaginal drug delivery are also addressed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Materials for Pharmaceutical Applications)
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25 pages, 1133 KiB  
Review
Polymer-Based Materials Loaded with Curcumin for Wound Healing Applications
by Sibusiso Alven, Xhamla Nqoro and Blessing Atim Aderibigbe
Polymers 2020, 12(10), 2286; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12102286 - 6 Oct 2020
Cited by 124 | Viewed by 11937
Abstract
Some of the currently used wound dressings have interesting features such as excellent porosity, good water-absorbing capacity, moderate water vapor transmission rate, high drug loading efficiency, and good capability to provide a moist environment, but they are limited in terms of antimicrobial properties. [...] Read more.
Some of the currently used wound dressings have interesting features such as excellent porosity, good water-absorbing capacity, moderate water vapor transmission rate, high drug loading efficiency, and good capability to provide a moist environment, but they are limited in terms of antimicrobial properties. Their inability to protect the wound from microbial invasion results in wound exposure to microbial infections, resulting in a delayed wound healing process. Furthermore, some wound dressings are loaded with synthetic antibiotics that can cause adverse side effects on the patients. Natural-based compounds exhibit unique features such as good biocompatibility, reduced toxicity, etc. Curcumin, one such natural-based compound, has demonstrated several biological activities such as anticancer, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Its good antibacterial and antioxidant activity make it beneficial for the treatment of wounds. Several researchers have developed different types of polymer-based wound dressings which were loaded with curcumin. These wound dressings displayed excellent features such as good biocompatibility, induction of skin regeneration, accelerated wound healing processes and excellent antioxidant and antibacterial activity. This review will be focused on the in vitro and in vivo therapeutic outcomes of wound dressings loaded with curcumin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Materials for Pharmaceutical Applications)
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